A Time To Love - Press Releases

CBC / Radio Canada

Stevie Wonder makes music video for the blind
May 05, 2005

Stevie Wonder has made a music video equipped with a descriptive
audio track designed for his blind fans. The video, which is being
described as a musical first, accompanies the release of Wonder's song
So What the Fuss.

The commentary track can be accessed with any television outfitted
with an SAP (Second Audio Program) function. The description was not
recorded by Wonder himself. Instead, he recruited rapper Busta Rhymes to
handle the voice-over duties.

"Until now music videos have been very one-dimensional for those who
are blind or with low vision," Wonder said in a release. "Now all
music-video fans will be able to apply their vision to my video, thanks
to the descriptive technique and, of course, a great narration by Busta
Rhymes. For me, the entire concept is indicative of what happens when
you go beyond the status quo and open yourself up to what's possible."

Wonder is the sightless singer known for classic albums like 1973's
Innervisions, which included the songs Higher Ground and Living for the
City. According to those who attended the recording session, the
description was done by Rhymes with "characteristic flair."

"Only Stevie could come up with a way to let fans that have never
seen a video take part in the whole vibe," the hip-hopper said. The
video is set in an apartment and shows Wonder performing so infectiously
that the surrounding neighbourhood joins in.

"Until now, a visually impaired music fan would be missing out on
key elements of music videos," remarked Linda Idoni, who wrote the
narration for the video and works for WGBH, the public TV station in
Boston credited with pioneering the video-description technology.

"For Stevie Wonder to embrace the description process enables a lot
of passionate music fans to enjoy the song in a whole other medium."

Prince plays guitar on So What the Fuss, which has backing vocals by
En Vogue. It is from the forthcoming album A Time 2 Love, which is
expected out this summer..